Therapeutic massage is the use of massage to heal mental and bodily aches and strains. Also known as manipulative therapy, therapeutic massage provides physical and psychological benefits. Physically, the effects of massage include injury healing, pain management and circulation improvement. The psychological aspects, through muscle manipulation leading to tension relief achieved by manipulating the muscles, are known to relieve stress. Multiple types of therapeutic massage exist, utilizing various techniques and concentrating on various parts or problems of the body. Therapeutic massage has a long and vivid history, and can claim Hippocrates and Julius Caesar as proponents of its uses and benefits.
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Therapeutic massage, through the application of manual and/or mechanical-aid pressure to the soft tissues of the body, eases much of the accumulated tension in the muscles. This tension relief is extremely helpful in situations when time is the best medicine. For example, strained and pulled muscles will only cure after time and through patience; massage can be extremely helpful in making the former go by faster and the keeping the latter with you. Muscle aches and pains, which accumulate as a result of stress, are greatly soothed by massage. A continuous regimen of massage therapy can reduce the aches and pains in the long term as well as the short term. Bad circulation, which can be the result of many factors, can be increased through massage. Of course, a healthy lifestyle consisting of a correct diet and sufficient exercise is needed to maintain healthy circulation, but massage does stimulate the blood vessels near the skin, thus improving circulation nearest to the skin.
It is a known fact that when we feel good physically, our psychology improves as well. Massage feels good physically as it lightly stirs our muscles and puts pressure on sensitive spots. This physical calm affects the mental state as well. While tension and pain are being released from our bodies, the mind is able to rest at ease, forgetting the pressures, both physical and emotional, of everyday life. Physical and mental health are cyclically related, as we are also apt to be physically more active in life when we feel good psychologically.
The range of therapeutic massage that exists is quite varied. For the athlete, there is the sport massage - the manipulation of muscles and tissues to keep them from tenseness and soreness - which reduces the risk of injury. For the injured athlete (or any injured person, for that matter), there exists the remedial massage, which concentrates on the injured area, and probably will include physical therapy to rebuild those muscles. Reflexology, derived from an Asian form, is massaging feet and/or hands to achieve relaxation throughout the body, as points in our hands and feet are connected to points throughout our body. Swedish massage focuses on deep massage of the muscles in the direction of blood flow to the heart. This type of massage is both beneficial for muscles and the circulation system. These above-listed types are a few of the various methods of therapeutic massage. Depending on personal needs and injuries, the specific therapeutic massage best for the specific need should be chosen.
Hippocrates is known to have said: “A physician must be experienced in many things but assuredly also in rubbing.” Thus, the father of modern medicine confirmed his belief in the benefits of massage to medicine. Julius Caesar is known to have had regular massage treatments, for certainly, in between conquering empires, de-stressing his body was very important. Massage therapy has been used throughout the centuries, and is known to have been used as early as the Egyptian times - paintings depict the royalty receiving massage. Modern society is discovering the benefits, both physical and psychological, of massage. As knowledge of these ancient techniques increases, awareness of their benefits grows, and the popularity increases. It is becoming easier and more accessible to get virtually any type of therapeutic massage in most cities, and is quickly spreading to regions outside of metropolitan areas. Massage, as the millennium-old therapy shows, is not a temporary fad. It is a method of pain and stress a lleviation that is becoming accepted by the medical community as an important supplement to various treatments. Therapeutic massage, through muscle manipulation, can be extremely beneficial to living a healthy life. When the body feels free and easy, the mind follows suit, and the path is paved for a healthy life.
Therapeutic Massage Alleviate Soreness Sooner
In my many life experiences, my first “massage” was not all it could have been. Having had more massages than my first one, I realize, it actually is great. I was the subject of a lady who was learning. I worked at a health club and she needed volunteers. I, as the low person on the totem pole, was elected to be the “it”. I had no idea what a therapeutic massage involved. Well, this was no therapeutic massage. I had to put up with the noise of two rowdy little boys while their mother practiced on me! I opted for the clothes-on option! Yes, there is a no-clothes option which involves the subject being nude, but covered by towels and blankets.
The more I learn about massage in general, the more differences I find between regular spa and therapeutic massage. A day massage (with a professional rather than an “intern”) is just to feel good, relaxed, even peaceful. In my learning, I have realized that there are so many massages available, so many techniques, even a pregnancy massage! If only I had known. It is all a very civilized affair.
Massage is the manipulation of superficial layers of muscle and connective tissue. This is done to enhance function and promote relaxation and well-being. This became popular in the US in the 1800’s and grew in popularity until the 1930’s and 40’s. The development of modern medicine discounted the benefits of therapeutic massage. It made a re-appearance in the 1960’s and 1970’s when nurses began to use it to alleviate pain in patients. In the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta massage was deemed a core medical service.
A therapeutic massage goes deeper into a person’s current and past medical complaints. These are performed in a clinic, hospital or private office, and there is a lot more paperwork involved than there is with a spa massage. The masseuse will ask many questions and interviews involved. This is not your massage as only luxury. It is one that will help relieve problems. It may be performed up to 3 times a week, which is very frequent for massage.
It is unbelievable the number of complaints that can be treated with therapeutic massage. It treats fibromyalgia, aches and pains, cancer, pediatric issues such as autism and Down’s syndrome. It treats sports injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash, TMJ and posture problems as well as weight issues. To me, this is amazing and fabulous.
Before seeking massage, it is helpful to consult your doctor. He/she can refer you to a massage therapist. Acupuncture (a form of massage) can be sought as a treatment for eczema. My sister in Australia, has had many, many issues when she first moved there with her husband. She now has a little daughter, her eczema has cleared up, even the scars on her face have diminished. I couldn’t believe it. She looks great and is crediting that to her massage therapy.
As a mother of three girls who love to dance, I hope their muscles and bones hold up to the impact it may have on their bodies. I know that therapeutic massage will help keep them in condition to dance. This is far more favorable than some of the other options such as shots of hormones and antibiotics!